Congratulations to North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger and her town board --- they have listened to their residents' concerns regarding large homes on small plots, they and their staff have taken the time to study the situation, and they have responded with new zoning codes.

We spoke with Supervisor Newburger and we like what we hear! It was the time for change. This is what residents have been requesting; this is what we have been advocating.

The Town of North Hempstead needed new zoning laws as much as the many villages that have also amended zoning to meet the challenges of today's developers. This is not just a Great Neck problem, but a problem that has cropped up all over the Town.

''Mansionization,'' the loss of green space and beautiful old trees, the encroachment of a large house that overshadows its neighbor, the changing character of neighborhoods --- these are some of the terms used to describe the problem situation that has occurred over and over again, when large homes are built on small pieces of property, particularly in neighborhoods where the small home has been the constant.

Supervisor Newburger assured that the town would never interfere with individual taste, never dictate style. And we do agree. However we do also agree with May Newburger that there should be ''limits'' when it comes to building.

While we congratulate Supervisor Newburger and North Hempstead, we also ask that all of our local governments take the time to assess their own zoning codes and determine if changes are in order. After all, Great Neck is our home and we should all be comfortable within our own neighborhoods. We all have the right to love our own home, the home of our choice, and, hopefully, also at least be pleased with the homes of our neighbors.

Wendy K. Kreitzman